Godfather of soul James Brown denies wife's domestic abuse charges

Jet, Nov 20, 1995

Godfather of Soul James Brown, facing charges of abusing his wife Adrienne, says he did not do it.

Brown told the Augusta (GA) Chronicle that he found his wife on the floor and unconscious. When she was revived she asked him why had he hit her.

"I said, I came to see what was wrong with you because you didn't answer me.'Then she started crying," Brown said.

Aiken, SC, sheriff s authorities arrested Brown, 62, at his home on charges of criminal domestic violence after his wife called 911 and asked for medical help.

Brown was released on a $940 bond.

Mrs. Brown, spouse of the legendary singer for more than 10 years, was treated and released from Aiken Regional Medical Center.

Police reports allege that Adrienne Brown suffered a bloody nose and swollen and bleeding lips.

James Brown's attorney Buddy Dallas refused to comment on the specifics of the case.

This is not the first time the singer's wife has charged him with abuse.

In 1988 she accused him of beating her and firing a gun into a car while she was inside. She refused to press charges.

In December 1994, he turned himself in to Aiken County authorities after being accused of showing his wife during an argument. She refused to testify and the charges were dropped.

Brown filed for divorce after the incident, (JET, March 27) but they reconciled and lived together again. "I love my wife, but I can't get her into a rehab clinic to stop her from abusing her prescription drugs," he told JET. Mrs. Brown, at her husband's Beech Island, SC, home, was unavailable for comment.